International Youth Day: What Can YOU Do To Shape The Future?

What if we told you, you can change the world?

On International Youth Day, let’s celebrate your power to shape the future.

You might have heard stories of youngsters who took the world by storm.

• Malala Yousafzai, a passionate advocate for the right to education
• Greta Thunberg, a pathbreaking climate change activist
• Gitanjali Rao, an ingenious inventor, author, and scientist

What they all hold in common is that they started with a single seed of thought and worked against all odds to create a forest of impact.

However, change does not have to be monumental. You can take small steps to make a big difference within your home and community.

Let’s start with what you can do today to build a better tomorrow:

Never Ever Stop Learning

Knowledge is your greatest superpower. The more you learn, the more game-changing ideas you develop. Your learning does not have to stop at your syllabus. Visit the library to read more books or look up videos online that can give you more perspective on the subject or topic that interests you. And, ask as many questions as you can — being curious is a value that will keep you motivated to create change.

Add Value To Whatever You Do

You might have already decided what profession you want to pursue. Be it a scientist, an engineer, or an architect, you can always present unique ideas that add value to your field. Sign up for courses that enhance your skills. Also, reach out to a mentor for professional guidance and practical exposure. This will not only help you become an expert in your field but also identify problems that you can solve down the line.

Protect Your Only Planet

It’s no secret that the earth needs your help. Take the time to understand how people can be more mindful about the consumption of resources. Start by practising the 3 R’s in your home — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Plant a tree on every birthday, find ways to use less water and electricity, and switch to sustainable products — these are some out of thousands of ways to be kinder to the environment.

Volunteer To Educate & Empower

Volunteering is a great way to connect with a larger community about issues that you deeply care about. Work with local NGOs or join forces with your friends — organise a clothing donation drive, collect leftovers to feed the hungry, clean local parks and beaches, teach underserved children, and raise awareness about important issues among your circles. Your actions can empower others in more ways than you can imagine.

Clubs and Communities Are Cool

Pursuing your hobbies and interests is important to becoming a well-rounded person. Are you a part of clubs at school or a music community in your neighbourhood? These are the perfect places to meet like-minded people. The more you mingle, the more you can learn about different people and their cultures. Being around a diverse community will help you understand the world, and actively work towards making it a better place.

Dream Big!

While the above tips will help you start small on building the future you envision, you can also begin working on your passion project today. This could be anything from building your own community to innovating for the greater good.

Here’s how you can initiate the next big change:

1. Identify a cause or an interest that you are passionate about
2. Set a clear objective based on the impact you want to create
3. Research the history, the people, and the problems to solve based on your topic
4. Involve your friends and family for support and constructive feedback
5. Set long-term and short-term goals for your passion project
6. Celebrate your wins and learn from your mistakes

Take One Step at a Time

As the youth of today, right now is your moment to shine. You have the golden opportunity to build a better world for yourself and everyone around you. While you set out on this great adventure, remember to prioritise your mental health, keep an open mind, don’t be afraid of failure, and most importantly, be kind!

Do you feel inspired? Tell us in the comments below what you plan to start doing today.